Top-seeded Michigan will meet its in-state rival Michigan State for the Big Ten Tournament Championship Sunday in Indianapolis. It will be the third meeting between these teams this season, with Michigan sweeping the season series.
Big Ten basketball tournament 2014 schedule and bracket: Michigan meets Michigan State in championship game
The Wolverines will attempt to defeat the Spartans for a third time this season and lock up both Big Ten titles.
Gregory Shamus
Michigan made its way to the championship game by dispatching its age-old rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Wolverines rode the scoring of Nik Stauskas and Caris LeVert to a 72-69 win in the semifinal. Stauskas poured in 18 points with 4/8 shooting from behind the arc. LeVert scored 17 grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. After Spike Albrecht, a 76 percent foul shooter, missed the second of two free throws that could have put Michigan up four, Aaron Craft took drove down the court. He pulled up for three from the top of the key, but the ball slipped out of his hands and fell harmlessly to the ground.
Michigan State throttled Wisconsin in the first half, jumping out to a 17-point halftime lead. The Badgers rallied in the second half, but couldn't get closer than six points from tying the game. Six Michigan State players scored in double digits, led by senior Adreian Payne's 18. But the senior's foul trouble allowed Frank Kaminsky and Wisconsin to put together a second-half run. Kaminsky finished with a game-high 28, but fouled out in the final minute.
Neither team is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament, but Michigan could jump to the top line with a victory in the title game. The Spartans are lurking around a 3 or 4 seed, and could make a huge impression with a win over their rival.
Championship Sunday
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 3 Michigan State, 3:30 ET, CBS
Here is a link to the Big Ten bracket:
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